Algae Biofuel TEAM – 6 CHEN – 282 Jennifer Gilmer, Tyler Goodall, Avanti Kavarthapu, Angela Martinez

Outline What is Biodiesel? Types of Bioreactors Algae Extraction Methods Why would a bio-based system be beneficial? Drawbacks of using Biodiesel Improvements Conclusions

What is Biodiesel? A type of biodiesel being looked at is that made from cultivating algae. The process for converting the oil from algae to biodiesel is called transesterification. What is Biodiesel? A type of biodiesel being looked at is that made from cultivating algae. The process for converting the oil from the algae to biodiesel is transesterification. EXPLAIN the PICTURE and mention this -- Algae are mixed with an alcohol and an acid or base to produce the fatty acid methyl esters that makes up the biodiesel.

Types of Bioreactors Open ponds—Shallow pools of water open to the atmosphere. Photobioreactors– Enclosed ponds. http://www.energypowershift.com/developments.htm Point at picture of ponds! Algae are phototrophs, which means they require sunlight to grow and survive. Industries have put into use a couple of different types of bioreactors that take advantage of sunlight: open pond and photobioreactors. are cheaper to use than photobioreactors because they are shallow pools of water open to the atmosphere. There are issues that accompany being uncovered though, such as harmful bacterial exposure, maintaining appropriate climate conditions, water availability, and the cost of land. The photobioreactors used in industry utilize the same type of pond that the open ponds do, but the difference is that the pond is enclosed. This allows for climate control and a sterile environment while still taking advantage of sunlight. Upfront costs for the closed reactor is much greater than open pond

Algae Extraction Methods Current methods for oil extraction from algae are: Expeller/press method presses out 70 – 75% of the oil from the algae. Hexane solvent method is a little more efficient than a press. Most common method.

Algae Extraction Methods Supercritical fluid method is the most efficient method where almost 100% of the oil can be extracted. Supercritical fluid method - Once the oil is extracted from the algae the leftover biomass can be used as a protein-rich feed for livestock which provides more overall value to the process and also reduces waste. CO2 is converted into a supercritical fluid (having both the properties of a liquid and gas simultaneously) that is used as a solvent in the extraction of the oil.

Why would a bio-based system be beneficial? Cost at the pump Reliable Up to 17% of U.S. oil imports could be met with algae. Environmentally favorable Carbon neutral

Drawbacks of using Biodiesel Performance Expensive Cost at the pump revisited Diesel engines

Improvement to current standard Introduction of the enzyme: monoterpene synthase from basil. Monoterpene synthase creates and automatically secretes the lipid oil geraniol. Research has shown the enzyme monoterpene synthase into yeast excretes the oil geraniol into the medium. This enzyme could eliminate the current expensive extraction process into a simple liquid liquid extraction.

Conclusion

References Rosenberg, J., Oyler, G., Wilkinson, L., and Betenbaugh, M. “A green light for engineered algae: redirecting metabolism to fuel a biotechnology revolution.” “Biotechnology.” 2008. 19:430-436. Schenk, P., Thomas-Hall, S., Stephens, E., Marx, U., Mussgnug, J., Posten, C., Kruse, O., and Hankamer, B. “Second Generation Biofuels: High-Effiency Microalgae for Biodiesel Production. “Bioenergy Res.” 2008. 1:20-43.  Demirbas, A., and Demirbas, M.F. “Importance of algae oil as a source of biodiesel.” “Energy Conversion and Management.” 2011. 52:163-170. Christ, Yusuf. “Biodiesel from microalgae beats bioethanol.” “Trends in Biotechnology.” 2007. 26:3:126-131. Vijayaraghavan, K., and Hemanathan, H. “Biodiesel Production from Freshwater Algae.” “Energy Fuels.” 2009. 32:5448-5453. Hossain, S., Salleh, A., Nasrulhag Boyce, A., Chowdhury, P., and Naqiuddin., M. “Biodiesel Fuel Production from Algae as Renewable Energy.” “American Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology.” 2008. 4(3):320-254.

Questions?